Duty of Care to Act on Climate Change

Have you ever wondered what you can do to help solve the issues surrounding climate change?

The impacts of a warming planet and changing climate have been affecting the state of our environment for decades. Scientist came forward long ago alongside organizations and individuals standing up for the Earth, urging all citizens to recognize the results of the industrial era and to change business as usual.

While there was much growth and prosperity over the past 200 years, it was far too often at the expense of the Earth and its people.

‘We Are the First Generation that Can End Poverty, the Last that Can End Climate Change.”

~Ban Ki-moon

Solutions come from the ground up – the grassroots movements across the globe. It is up to the individual to team up with their neighbours and neighbouring businesses to address the environmental causes that are close to home.

Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships

We as individuals are responsible for the biggest improvement in the state of our environment. It’s appropriate since it affects us all. The power is in the hands of the individual’s daily actions not solely in the hands of politicians who make policy & important decisions we have little appeal on.

Politician to Population

By relying only on those in power, the population at large is overlooked. Furthermore, since government power shifts from one party to another every four years or so, ideas and innovations lose momentum.

Emphasis on the environment varies depending on how much emphasis is put on the economy. At the end of each leader’s term, people are left looking to the successor to carry the master plan forward for a healthier climate and planet.

But what happens when the government in power doesn’t have much interest in solving the climate issues that concern the Earth?

Making the Shift for Climate Solutions

By shifting our focus to governance based efforts, we begin to see where we can play a role in finding solutions, implementing them for long term, sustainable growth.

While good government is fundamental in maximizing the best efforts of climate change solutions, the power remains in the hands of society as a whole. Good self-governance is the biggest contribution to climate change solutions. It is the power of the many individuals coming together that supersedes the efforts of government officials that implement policy.

Duty of Care

If you think of each individual citizen as a member of the largest Board of Directors, it’s clear that we each have a duty to the Earth. A duty of care – one to make decisions in its best interest. We are responsible for our own future; will you vote with personal action, or leave it up to the elected individuals to act on climate?

How are you acting on climate change? I’d love to hear from you! Connect by leaving a comment below or joining the conversation on Twitter.

Leah Feor is the owner of Simply Sustainable, a small business that has evolved from a fair trade mobile shop to a strategic consulting firm serving entrepreneurs with a social or environmental vision. Balancing her clients’ Triple Bottom Line – people, planet, profit – is Leah’s utmost goal, and is supported by her background in accounting and environmental management.

Pages

All text and images posted on the Simply Sustainable Blog are property of Simply Sustainable. Any material referenced as quotes must be cited. The content of this blog cannot be reproduced without written permission by the owner. Please contact simplysustainableblog(at)gmail(dot)com with any questions or requests.